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Tesco tweet 'callous', says Harlow MP Robert Halfon | Tesco tweet 'callous', says Harlow MP Robert Halfon |
(35 minutes later) | |
An MP has criticised a tweet by a senior Tesco manager who said shutting five depots was an example of "awesome teamwork". | An MP has criticised a tweet by a senior Tesco manager who said shutting five depots was an example of "awesome teamwork". |
Tesco is restructuring its distribution centres with the transfer of 2,000 posts in Essex, Surrey and Derbyshire. | Tesco is restructuring its distribution centres with the transfer of 2,000 posts in Essex, Surrey and Derbyshire. |
Harlow MP Robert Halfon said the Twitter remark by Tesco distribution director Steve Strachota was "seemingly celebrating" the depot closures. | Harlow MP Robert Halfon said the Twitter remark by Tesco distribution director Steve Strachota was "seemingly celebrating" the depot closures. |
Tesco has apologised for any offence the comment had caused. | Tesco has apologised for any offence the comment had caused. |
The depots facing closure are in Harlow, in Essex, which has 800 staff, Barlborough, near Chesterfield, where 400 people work and Weybridge, in Surrey, which has 650 staff. | |
In addition, its sites in Daventry, in Northamptonshire, and Middlewich, in Cheshire, are being relocated to a re-opened centre at Fenny Lock, in Milton Keynes. | In addition, its sites in Daventry, in Northamptonshire, and Middlewich, in Cheshire, are being relocated to a re-opened centre at Fenny Lock, in Milton Keynes. |
'Wallowing' | 'Wallowing' |
Tesco said Mr Strachota was not available to comment on his tweet. | Tesco said Mr Strachota was not available to comment on his tweet. |
Instead, the retailer issued a statement, which said: "This tweet was intended to acknowledge that difficult decisions had been taken in order to make significant changes to our distribution network. | Instead, the retailer issued a statement, which said: "This tweet was intended to acknowledge that difficult decisions had been taken in order to make significant changes to our distribution network. |
"Steve has spoken to our colleagues at Harlow in person to explain this and they recognised that it should be seen in that context." | "Steve has spoken to our colleagues at Harlow in person to explain this and they recognised that it should be seen in that context." |
But Mr Halfon, a Conservative, said he was "really disturbed" to see the message - now deleted - which had been forwarded to him by a number of Tesco workers. | But Mr Halfon, a Conservative, said he was "really disturbed" to see the message - now deleted - which had been forwarded to him by a number of Tesco workers. |
In a letter to Tesco, Mr Halfon said: "It seems to me that, given what has happened in Harlow, and the upset it caused to many people, your senior managers appear to be wallowing in what they have done. | In a letter to Tesco, Mr Halfon said: "It seems to me that, given what has happened in Harlow, and the upset it caused to many people, your senior managers appear to be wallowing in what they have done. |
"I find it very sad that a company that I have had huge respect for seems to be so callous in their treatment of workers, many of whom have given over 20 years of service to Tesco." | "I find it very sad that a company that I have had huge respect for seems to be so callous in their treatment of workers, many of whom have given over 20 years of service to Tesco." |
Mr Halfon has also tabled an Early Day Motion on the issue which has called on the House of Commons to voice disappointment at Tesco's "treatment" of affected staff. | Mr Halfon has also tabled an Early Day Motion on the issue which has called on the House of Commons to voice disappointment at Tesco's "treatment" of affected staff. |